Thoughts about the future FIRST games

[i like dirt]

[quote=David55]I know the main goal of FIRST is to inspire students and attract them to the world of science and technology. For this, obviously, you need a fun and attracting game. As Dean states in many speeches and interviews, FIRST's goal is to make science and technology as appealing as sports are to teenagers. Again, for this, a fun "sports style" game in needed.


Exactly a "sports style" game. It doesn't have to be applied to the real world or a new invention. It's supposed to be like other sports. I mean when was the last time you saw a sport like baseball or basketball applied to the real world.

[Simon Strauss]

Originally Posted by i like dirt

Exactly a "sports style" game. It doesn't have to be applied to the real world or a new invention. It's supposed to be like other sports. I mean when was the last time you saw a sport like baseball or basketball applied to the real world.

Yeah, but if you look at FIRST's potential we could just as easily address important issues and still have active, audience captivating games. I'm not saying we should have FLL type games where the only purpose is to address issues directly but instead like the 2004 game (there may be others before my time). Games where scores could be easily approximated by the audience, had an exciting extra point ending and some physical contact, the major issues being argued for sport type games to keep FIRST appealing, but addressed the issue of step climbing which some teams came up with very creative solutions for. Imagine the world issues that could be solved by a simple jello based game.
-Simon

[Jherbie53]

If they want to give us real world problems in the game, its OK. If they want to keep giving us "sports" in the game, its OK. I know we are all going to say that FIRST is about getting high school students interested in the different 'tech' fields out there. But it really doesn't matter if we solve a problem now or in 6-7 years when we're out of college. When FIRST gives us a game each year, its just that, a game. We brainstorm, design, build, and compete for the purpose of having fun. If we just so happen to come up with world changing features or designs, we do, and if we don't, we don't. The design committee is always giving us new and exciting challenges to accomplish each and every year, and I've always been amazed by what my team and other teams have built to over come the very same challenge that they delivered.

Right now I can wait until January for the game, whatever it will be about. I'm sure its going to be interesting, as will the future of fire fighting, thanks to teams like 67, the HOT team and 322, the FIRE team.

[irishninja]

Honestly, if this robot had to solve problems I wouldn't have nearly as much fun. It sounds terrible, but it's true. When there is a real problem, everything is a lot more serious. Yes, we are learning about technology, and science, and math, but we are also having fun doing it.

I just don't think I would have as much fun if I was doing something that is a "real world" problem.